NOVEMBER 2010Volume 122 No. 8

FEATURES

Fire Strikes Newberrytown Camp Meeting! 5by Andrew Grate

America’s First National Thanksgiving Day 20by Abraham Lincoln

DEPARTMENTS

The Editor’s View 2The President’s Page 3Letters To The Editor 4The World To Win 4Called Unto Holiness 7News From The Hilltop 10Revivalist Family 10Dear Phil 14World Pulse 15From The Classics 16Revivalist Pulpit 17Alumni News 20Thoughts For The Quiet Hour 23

STAFF

Brandon Hilligoss, assistant graphic designer Sharonna Mitchell, production manager

Kevin Moser, art director, managing editor

Jon Plank, assistant graphic designer, webmaster

Larry D. Smith, editor

God’s Revivalist and Bible Advocate (ISSN 0745-0788) is published monthly except forcombined issues in January-February and June-July-August for $12.00 per year($28.00, Canada; $45.00, other countries) by the Revivalist Press of God’s BibleSchool, College and Missionary Training Home, 1810 Young Street, Cincinnati, Ohio45202. Periodical postage paid at Cincinnati, Ohio, and at additional mailing offices.POSTMASTER: send address changes to God’s Revivalist and Bible Advocate, 1810Young Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202.

God’s Revivalist and Bible Advocate, the official organ of God’s Bible School, is a maga-zine founded by Martin Wells Knapp in July of 1888. We seek to proclaim the good newsof salvation; to stir a revival spirit among Christians; to stimulate Christian growth andresponsible Christian living; to present the happenings and interests of God’s Bible School.

Please obtain permission before reprinting any articles from God’s Revivalist and BibleAdvocate. Unsolicited manuscripts are welcomed, but not returned.

God’s Bible School and College seeks to glorify God and to serve His Church by pro-viding higher education centered in Holy Scripture and shaped by Wesleyan convic-tion, thus preparing faithful servants to proclaim Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holi-ness throughout the world.

God’s Bible School and College does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color,national or ethnic origin, or against otherwise qualified handicapped persons in itsadmission of students or employment of its faculty and staff.

Contact us by telephone at (513) 721-7944 (Revivalist Press, ext. 1351); by fax at(513) 763-6649; by email at revivalist@gbs.edu or gbs4u@gbs.edu. Visit us onlineat www.gbs.edu or www.godsrevivalist.com.

COVER PHOTO: ©2010 ThinkStock.

CONTENTS

LARRY D. SMITH

“TING-A-LING! HURRAH FOR

THANKSGIVING DAY!”

Y our calendar on the kitchen wall says that it is nowNovember, that golden time late in the year’s paradeof disappearing months. Soon we shall be overcome

by the excited rush of Christmas. What a blessing, then,that first we are given Thanksgiving Day with its call togratitude and benediction! This, of course, has becomeour great annual feast of roasted turkey, since festive eatingalways marks our finest celebrations

But almost as inseparable from the day is the rich nos-talgia that has come to permeate the season. Gripped inpatriotic reverie, we sit down in old New England withfriendly Indians and smiling Pilgrims. Reliving childhoodmemories, we gather with father and mother, grandparents,aunts and uncles at a white-draped table set with flickeringcandles and flowered china. For a moment, the realities oftoday slide away into the mists of yesterday.

Few of us will bundle ourselves into a horse-drawn sleighthis Thanksgiving, as “over the river and through the wood /To Grandmother’s house we go.” But charmed by these oldfamiliar lyrics, we sing them again, thrilled as the polishedrunners crunch “through the white and drifted snow.” Weshiver excitedly beneath the buffalo robes pulled up aroundour chins, for “how the wind does blow! / It stings the toes /And bites the nose, / As over the ground we go.”

We sigh eagerly for the cornbread dressing now turning aglorious amber in the oven of Granny’s roaring cookstove,then shout merrily at Old Nellie, our “dapple gray,” as shestrains into her harness. “Hear the bells ring, / Ting-a-ling-ling!”we shout. “Ting-a-ling-ling! Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day!”

What a vivid 19th-century vignette—something like aprint published by Currier and Ives, hand-tinted (p21)�

GOD’S REVIVALIST and BIBLE ADVOCATE

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theeditor’s

view

God has the most remarkable way of placinglittle object lessons in our path to remind usof the things that are most important. He has

them tucked away in the most unlikely places justwaiting for the right moment to spring them. Thishappened to me recently while standing at the backdoor of a church where I had just finished preachingthe final service of a revival meeting. The church is agrowing congregation of good folks from a primarilyrural area. They have a number of exciting ministries,one of which is a ministry to adults facing variouschallenges. The church provides this group with theirown special Sunday school class, and in turn the

group participates faithfully in the worship services—usually sitting right up front. One of the ladies in the group, Robin, has Down Syndrome. Robin lives with one of the church families where

she has received loving care for over 26 years. Robin is known for her exceptionally mild disposition and loving man-ner. She loves the animals on the farm and has spent the entire day in the barn just petting the goats. Once when ababy deer happened along, Robin’s caregiver saw her standing in the backyard with the little deer, each enjoyingthe other’s company.

As I stood at the back door shaking hands and sharing good-byes, Robin and her family joined the line that waswinding its way past me and out the door. One of the family members whispered to Robin, “Why don’t you givehim a hug” and pointed to someone standing right behind me. Robin thought she meant me and pushed her waythrough the crowd, laid her head on my arm, and began to pat my hand. This continued for sometime. It was oneof the most pure expressions of love I had ever received from a complete stranger.

A few days later, early one morning as I was praying, I thought of this incident. As I thought about Robin’sunashamed display of unconditional love, I paused in my prayer and asked the Lord, “Father, did you make aspecial group of people just to show us what unconditional love looks like?” To which He gently replied, “Yes,Son, I did. They are called Christians!”

NOVEMBER 2010

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thepresident’s

page

“BY THIS SHALL ALL MEN KNOW…”

by Michael R. Avery, President

TO THE EDITOR

GIVE ME A HEART LIKE DEE’S

My family and I read Mark Burkholder’s story,“Dee’s Paint Can and My Salvation” [God’sRevivalist, September 2010] during devotionstonight. It seemed a bit graphic, but it touched onvery real issues facing men today. This articlerevealed an incredible miracle of how the ungodlycan become holy by God’s amazing grace. What achallenging reminder that our God CAN do any-thing! As a holiness man and a business owner Ihave been praying that God would lead me as Iendeavor to witness for Him. I know many cus-tomers need more than the products we offer. Myprayer tonight is, “God, give me tears and a heartlike Dee’s that I might win souls for Thee.”

JACK HOLLANDAdamsville, Alabama

“YOU MUST PREACH THE LAW”

I especially liked your emphasis on the way thelaw should be preached [God’s Revivalist, “TheEditor’s View,” September 2010]. I have believed fora long time that one of the reasons we see as littleconviction in our services and too much shallowaltar work is the failure to preach the law as youhave written. Many years ago I read somewhere inGodbey’s commentaries [that]…in revivals he tookMount Sinai for his pulpit and preached the law forseveral days before he opened the altar. Then hetook Mount Calvary for his pulpit and opened thealtar, and people tumbled into the altar, crying formercy. I also remember that around 1950 andlater…many voices began to be raised about so-called negative preaching, by which they reallymeant naming sin.

REV. H.C. EMMERT Email

GOD’S REVIVALIST and BIBLE ADVOCATE

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Letters should be addressed to the Editorial Office, 1810 YoungStreet, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, or emailed to revivalist@gbs.edu.Letters reprinted here do not necessarily reflect the opinions of theeditor of God’s Revivalist nor those of the administration of God’sBible School. Names and locations of writers will be withheld attheir specific request or at the discretion of the editor. We reservethe right to edit and condense.

Each month we publish brief “field reports” from missionariesaround the world. Missionaries are invited to send us theirnewsletters and other information about their activities. GBS grad-uates are especially urged to respond, but we also wish to includeothers who uphold our vision and our commitment.

MEXICO. In recent days, Marc and I have beentouched and challenged anew with the urgency of thesoul harvest around us. Maybe that sounds odd to you,given the fact that we are missionaries. Please let meremind you that even on the mission field the busynessof life and ministry, duties, and “everyday” tasks thatwe must complete can at times cause our focus toshift. Through a series of things that God has allowedto come into our lives, we feel that our hearts havebeen stirred to even greater focus on the soul harvestand on what is truly important for our family. Wedesire most of all to please Him and walk in His waysin the path He has chosen for our family. “His approvalwill be our reward.” —Melodie Sankey, EmailPHILIPPINES. “We are now two weeks into languageschool, and it has been a very humbling experience. Ifyou can imagine what it would be like to become ababy again, trying to sound out syllables, words, andsimple phrases that others have known for their entirelifetime…. Please pray specifically that God will gra-ciously grant to us the skill and understanding we needto learn to speak fluently in Ilokano.” —R.G. and Sarah Hutchison, Email NewsletterUKRAINE. “Two weeks [this past summer] were spentin the mountains of western Ukraine…. We taughtmountain children…in two different vacation Bibleschools…. We were able to show the Jesus film inremote villages, visited invalids in their homes, playedgames with teens, shared the plan of salvation, andprayed with many. After two weeks living in tents hereand there we were glad to be in our own village ofOsikova. Our gospel team of six teenagers helped withthe VBS’s…. We praise God that between the two vil-lage around 45 children prayed and repented.” —Jasonand Joanna Sturtevant, Arms Around the World

MISSIONS REPORTS

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omst

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NOVEMBER 2010

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by Andrew Grate

July 15 was day seven of the 2010 Camp Meeting inNewberrytown, Pennsylvania. Our evening pre-ser-

vice had begun at 7:00 with Camp President Bran-don Byer introducing a quartet from Allegheny Wes-leyan College. Everything went well for awhile. Butthen about midway through, we were disrupted by afire that was to destroy one of our camp’s most im-portant buildings. It’s a powerful reminder for all ofus to prepare for such tragedy.

Let me share a timeline of that evening:

7:17 p.m. A power surge or electrical short causedfire at the camp utility pole, which transferred tothe sound board on the platform, causing a pil-low-sized puff of smoke.

7:18 p.m. On the other side of the same utility pole, firetraced the wires to the eaves of the dorm roof whereone of two power supplies entered the building.

7:19 p.m. As smoke began rising from the roof, twomen went through the building pounding ondoors and calling out “Fire!” One of the ladiescalled 911.

7:20 p.m. By this time panic had disrupted the service,which was dismissed. People were pulling laptops,suitcases, and other items from the building.

7:21 p.m. Cars were moved from around the build-ing to allow a safe distance and to make room forthe fire crew.

7:32 p.m. Fire trucks began to arrive. With nohydrant nearby, tankers began hauling in waterfor the fire trucks.

7:42 p.m. Firefighters broke open the third-floor win-dows and opened the roof, causing billows ofsmoke to escape.

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7:50 p.m. The building was now in flames. Three of the third-floor dormer windows burstinto flames. Firefighters withdrew from the interior and continued to fight the blazefrom the outside.

7:55 p.m. Some of our teens wept as they realized personal items were going up in smoke. Someof the men who helped build the dorm in the late 1950’s stood by helplessly as it burned.

9:00 p.m. The fire was under control.9:05 p.m. The Red Cross arrived to serve food to the campers and offer lodging if necessary.9:25 p.m. The fire was mostly out except for “hot spots.” 10:00 p.m. Some of the campers salvaged a few personal items.10:55 p.m. Fire equipment and emergency vehicles, nearly 20 in all, began the process

of leaving the campgrounds.

The next day, the fire inspector took only about an hour to inspect the damage, then per-mitted us to enter the building and look for ourselves. We salvaged some belongings and witha bit of disbelief took in the dreadful sight of damage estimated at $600,000. This was not justa dorm, since it included the bookroom, the snack shop, the kitchen, dining hall, and more.On October 1, the excavators rolled in at the camp and brought the ruined building down. Ourfirst insurance settlement has arrived, and we’re trusting God for wisdom to use it wisely.

We rest this fire to God’s sovereignty, grateful that no one was hurt or killed; but we alsohope that our loss will prod all of us to consider safety at our campgrounds.

Consider the following questions:1. How long has it been since you reviewed your camp insurance coverage? Is it sufficient?2. Does your camp have smoke alarms in every cabin or several down every dorm hallway

where people are sleeping?3. Do you replace the smoke alarm batteries every year with a dated sticker on each battery?4. Do you have fire extinguishers throughout your buildings, and are they inspected with cur-

rently dated tags?5. Are you considering building where the bookstore, snack shop, kitchen, dining hall, dorm

and other parts of the camp are connected? Have you considered fire walls even if localcodes do not require them?

6. Are you running too many modern appliances on wiring that is several decades old?7. Are maintenance men running to the breaker box to reset breakers that trip frequently?

Please take this list to your next camp board meeting. Everybody will benefit by makingsure that your facilities are secure and safe. Meanwhile, our camp for next year is scheduledfor July 8–17. We’ll announce our temporary location as soon as possible.

Andrew J. Grate (GBS ‘93 BRE) lives in Pennsylvania and is closely associated with the campground atNewberrytown, Pennsylvania.

We rest

this fire to

God’s

sovereignty,

grateful

that no one

was hurt

or killed.

06GOD’S REVIVALIST and BIBLE ADVOCATE

©2010 Thinkstock

The first essential prerequisite to Christian perfectionand a leading characteristic of it is a cheerful, per-fect submission to the will of God. “But,” someone

says, “I had to submit myself unreservedly to God’s willbefore He would even pardon my sins.” So must every sin-ner. God will not receive anyone into His kingdom unlesshe will confess and forsake his sins without reservation.

What then is the difference between the sincere,unreserved submission of the penitent sinner and thecheerful, perfect submission of the seeker of entire sanc-tification? The submission of the penitent is very muchlike the submission of the manslayer fleeing from theavenger of blood. As he approaches the gate of the cityof refuge, he cries, “Open the gate and let me in!” Theporter says to him, “Will you submit to the will of thegovernor of this city and keep his laws?” “O yes, I will,”he responds. Open the gate and let me in!”

This is submission because he is in great jeopardy. So isevery sinner who is “fleeing from the wrath to come.” Heis driven by the law of God and also attracted by the loveof God who prepares a refuge for his poor soul. But afterhe is admitted to the city of refuge—adopted into God’sfamily—he is placed in the school of Christ. Here he ascer-tains through the light of the Holy Spirit upon His heart thatthe will of God is much more comprehensive than he couldhave anticipated before. He acquires such confidence inGod as the reasonable ruler of his life that he makes a con-secration of himself to God very different from that whichhe had made as a the penitent sinner. Let me explain:

1. This is an intelligent submission and consecra-tion. As a penitent he could not know about the detailsof Christian experience and duty. But now he hasreached a place where he has an appreciative view ofhis relations to God and His Kingdom. So he cheerfullyadjusts his entire consecration of heart and life to hisenlarged perceptions of these relationships.

2. This is based on different motives. In comingto Christ as a penitent sinner, his motive was primari-ly fear. Now it is not, for he has acquired such confi-dence in God that he understands that God’s will isperfectly right and consistent with his own best inter-ests in time and eternity. He knows that God willrequire him only to give everything opposed to perfectheart purity because it is only rubbish and death.Therefore he gladly accepts God’s will as the rule ofhis heart and life. “I beseech you, therefore, brethren,by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a liv-ing sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is yourreasonable service” (Rom 12:1).

3. This submission embodies such a developmentof the principle of obedience in the heart of aChristian that it will perfect his loyalty to God and set-tle the question as to whether he will do his wholeduty to God. The perfectly loyal heart has but one ques-tion and that is, “What is my duty?” Its development isoften promoted and demonstrated by specific tests ofobedience, as it did with Abraham. When he promptlyoffered up “his son, his dear son Isaac,” as a burnt-offer-ing, he demonstrated heart loyalty to the death.

This loyalty must embrace the settlement of everyquestion and preclude any debate about whether or notwe will do God’s will. Remember His service “is a rea-sonable service.” What a scandal to the religion of Jesusthat men and women professing to love God should setthemselves against God’s will. So bring your sacrifice,my dear Christian reader, “bind it with cords,” lay it onGod’s altar, and steadily keep it there.

William Taylor (1821-1902) was a famous Methodist minister,author, holiness advocate, and missionary bishop to Africa. This selec-tion, abridged by the editor, is taken from The Double Cure or Echoesfrom National Camp Meetings, published in 1894.

In this space we use writers both past and present to discuss various aspects of Christian holiness.

PERFECT LOYALTY TO GOD

by Bishop William Taylor

NOVEMBER 2010

07

Homecoming 2010, October 8 and 9, was avery special time honoring the retirement of Prof.Garen Wolf, longtime chair of GBS’s Division ofMusic. The entire weekend consisted of severalopportunities to remember and honor the life andinfluence of Mr. Wolf. This began with a banquet inthe dining hall. Fortunately, the entire Wolf familywas able to attend and be the honored guests. TheFriday night concert featured an alumni quartet,alumni orchestra, and alumni choir. Two videotributes to Mr. Wolf were presented to the alumniand friends who filled the chapel.

We were especially honored to have participatingseveral music directors from sister Bible colleges anduniversities who had studied under Mr. Wolf. The“Passing the Torch” ceremony at the close of theconcert was especially meaningful.

Saturday breakfast gave an opportunity for reunionand fellowship. Saturday morning services featured adevotional by Mr. Jerry Glick and recognition of the 25-and 50-year graduates. The Faculty/Staff AppreciationAward was presented to GBS Director of Finance,

David Frederick, who has served the school faithfullyfor fifteen years. The Alumnus of the Year Award waspresented to former GBS professor and division chair,Dr. Michael Williams. Dr. and Mrs. Williams have spenta number of years in ministry, church administration,and Christian education.

Saturday concluded with a great picnic oncampus. Plenty of food, games, and even a dunktank attracted many alumni to spend the afternoonon the Hilltop. Please mark your calendar now forHomecoming 2011, which will be held October 7and 8. We invite all of our GBS alumni to comeback home for this special event.

—Jack Hooker, President,National Alumni Association

HOMECOMING 2010: “A SPECIAL TIME” HONORING GAREN WOLF

10GOD’S REVIVALIST and BIBLE ADVOCATE

BIRTHS

To James (GBS ’00–01) and Jodi (GBS ’89–97)Randel, Miltonvale, Kansas, a daughter Jerabeth Lea

Randel, born September 27, 2010. Hersiblings include Josiah, Jeralyn, Jeshanah,Jesherlah, and Joashleiah. Jodi served onthe GBS staff as head cook, 1997–2001,and is a stay-at-home mom. James is agrain elevator operator.

DEATHS

Gary M. Groves, 37, of Strongsville, Ohio, died ofa massive heart attack August 4, 2010. He graduatedsumma cum laude from God’s Bible School in 1999with the degree BA in Christian School Music

Education and in addition earned adegree in accounting from the Universityof Cincinnati. He is survived by his parentsWillis and Evelyn Groves, his brothersDoug and Tim, and other relatives andfriends. He was cremated, and memorial

services were held at Jardine Funeral Home,Strongsville, Dr. Kent E. Knife, officiating.

Helen Cora Mabel Luelf, 91, of Independence,Kansas, died Friday, July 2, 2010, in Iola. After attend-

ing Truston schools, she worked at TroyGarment Factory, then went to God’sBible School, where she graduated asvaledictorian. In 1946 she and Zola MaeRich began their ministry in Barbados. In1952 they opened a new work in

Grenada, where she lived until 1988, and where shehelped establish a dozen churches and other missions.

After retiring from the mission field, Miss Luelf pas-tored in San Bernardino, California, for 12 years, thenreturned to Independence in 2003. She moved to Iolain 2008. Survivors include two sisters, Esther and Faith,and nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held atthe Bible Holiness Church, Independence, the Revs.Duane Johnson, DeSilva Smith, and Joe Davolt, offici-ating. Burial was at Mount Hope Cemetery.

Dr. Walter H. Johnson, 93, of Hebron, Indiana,formerly of Greenville, Illinois, died August4, 2010, Merrillville, Indiana. He was con-verted at the age of 12. After graduatingfrom God’s Bible School with a highschool diploma in 1936, he attendedSpring Arbor College. He went on to grad-

On these pages, we feature items about GBS alumni, significantevents scheduled throughout the “Revivalist family,” and brief newsnotes from across the holiness movement.

GBS CHRISTMAS PROGRAMOFFERED DECEMBER 10, 11, 12

God’s grace—His amazingunmerited favor—is the theme ofthe GBS Music Division’s Christmasprogram Were It Not for Grace,which will be staged in the Adcock

Chapel at 7:00 PM,December 10, 11, and 12. A115-voice choir, a 40-pieceorchestra, and a cast ofactors come together in thismusical production whichpromises to

“take you backto Bethlehem

on that firstChristmas night,”

introducing you to“four, ordinary peo-ple whose lives wereintersected by thegrace of God.” Youwill meet a hard-hearted centurion, aself-sufficient womannamed Martha, a

lowly shepherd, and a sin-wreckedwoman of the streets. When theymet the Master, their lives weredrastically changed.

TICKET INFORMATION: Eachfamily may request up to five free

uate from Greenville College; McCormack Seminary;and Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, fromwhich he received his doctoral degree in 1947. Heserved as a Free Methodist pastor, then joined the fac-ulty at Greenville College and later Seattle PacificCollege. In retirement he returned to Greenville.

He is survived by his wife, the former VirginiaWhite, to whom he was married for 68 years; theirchildren W. Stanley and Ruth; grandchildren, andgreat-grandchildren. Funeral services were held at theGreenville, Illinois, Free Methodist Church with burialat the Mt. Auburn Cemetery.

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tickets for one night only. After thefifth ticket, the cost is $5 per ticket(please send payment with yourorder). Phone or email orders willnot be accepted. All orders must besent to the school with a self-

addressed, stamped envelope.Include the date you prefer and thenumber of tickets needed. Pleasecontact the ticket coordinator at(513) 721-7944 if you will not beusing your tickets.

No seats may be saved at any-time. No persons arriving after 7:20p.m. will be permitted to enter, andthose leaving the auditorium duringthe performance will not be grantedreadmittance. Prelude music willbegin at 6:30 p.m. Child care willbe provided for children ten andunder. A freewill offering will betaken at the close of each perfor-mance. Persons wishing to place anadvertisement in the evening’s pro-gram should contact the MusicDivision at (513) 763-6546.

Ticket orders should beaddressed as follows: ChristmasProgram Ticket Request, God’sBible School and College, 1810Young St., Cincinnati, OH 45202.

CHE BROWN SCHOLARSHIP FORAFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDENTSESTABLISHED AT GBSby Faith Avery, Office of InstitutionalAdvancement

A remarkable person or story isbehind the founding of each schol-arship at God’s Bible School andCollege. In the case of the recentlyestablished Che Brown Scholarship,there are both.

The story begins in 1987 in thetown of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, �

While finishing work toward his high school diploma in 1935–36, Walter Johnson (far left) directed the GBS orchestra.

GOD’S REVIVALIST and BIBLE ADVOCATE

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� where Eleanor Nunley welcomed her secondgrade public school class to a new year. Eleanor tooknote of one student in particular, an African-American boy named Che. He was certainly brightenough, but his behavior would prove extremelychallenging—even for a seasoned teacher! All yearEleanor worked diligently with Che, so he couldmake it both academically and socially. She was ableto connect with the boy, and in return he cooperat-ed with her in a way he never had for other teach-ers. In fact, Che did so well under Eleanor thatwhen she was assigned to teach third grade the sub-sequent year, she asked to teach him again—a chal-lenge the other teachers gladly relinquished!

Che transferred to another school for fourthgrade, yet whenever Eleanor occasionally saw himshe was always introduced as his “favorite teacher.”Though no longer in the same school, the bond cre-ated between teacher and student would have a last-ing impact over the next fifteen years of Che’s life.

Eleanor eventually lost track of Che during hishigh school years, after which he moved to theinner-city of Columbus to live on the streets. Che’slife spiraled out of control, but the most devastatingpart was his involvement with drugs. Arrested multi-ple times, he had only the “streets of Columbus” togive as his address. Finally in 2005, Eleanor learnedhe was in the local county jail, a stint which allowedher to reconnect and start influencing his life again.

When he was released from the county jail,Eleanor continued to visit and work with Che. Asshe did, she became increasingly burdened for at-risk, inner-city youth, and two things became appar-ent: first, she wanted to join forces with a largerorganization to help prisoners like Che serving theirsentence; second, she needed to do her part to pre-vent youth like Che from starting down the road toprison with little hope of diversion.

And so it was that Eleanor began working atSouth Eastern Correctional Institute under Prison

Che Brown as a child Eleanor Nunley and Che Brown

Fellowship. She joined their weekly Bible studies andconnected with a number of other ministries to addressissues facing inner-city youth, giving generously of hertime and support.

Eleanor wanted to go beyond even these ministriesto give at-risk African-Americans another opportunity.Studies show that on any given day 30 percent ofAfrican-American males aged 20 to 29 are “under cor-rectional supervision.” A Bureau of Justice analysis showsthat 32 percent of black males born in 2001 can expectto spend time in prison over the course of their lifetime.In the face of such staggering statistics what could oneperson do? Eleanor took courage in the words of EdwardEverett Hale, “I am only one, but I am still one; I cannot

do everything, but still Ican do something; andbecause I cannot doeverything I will notrefuse to do the some-thing that I can do.”

What could Eleanordo? She could and didstart the Che BrownScholarship for African-

American college students called to minister to inner-cities of America. This scholarship provides educationalopportunities for African-American youth desiring to giveat-risk teens like Che a different direction, a new hope.

If you wish to link arms with Eleanor to help giveinner-city youth another path, contact the Office ofInstitutional Advancement at (513) 763-6565, or senda donation to God’s Bible School and College for theChe Brown Scholarship.

STUDENTS SHARE CHRIST IN OPEN AIR CAMPAIGN

“It was a wonderful experience to be used by Godto minister to people in such distinct ways.” This washow college senior Rachelle Wolf described GBS’s

Open Air Campaign, September 13–16. “God knewwhat each person needed, and He allowed us as stu-dents to let them see Christ in us.”

Under the direction of Dr. Mark Bird, GBS collegeprofessor, and Eric Briscoe, Open Air Campaigners FieldDirector, students took the gospel to downtownCincinnati, focusing on Fountain Square, heart of thecity’s business district. There they witnessed their faiththrough outdoor preaching, sketchbook painting, gospelsinging, tract distribution, and personal counseling.Hundreds of people were thus confronted by the offerof salvation.

“I appreciated the wonderful participation from thestudents and the encouragement and support from allthe administration, staff, and faculty, especially theChristian Service Director, Dr. Dan Glick,” says Dr. Bird.“More students participated in the Open Air Outreachthis year than in several years.”

NOVEMBER 2010

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Investing in Tomorrow’s Christian Leaders

God’s BiBle school & colleGe

office of AdvAncement

1810 YounG street • cincinnAti, ohio 45202

Phone: (513) 721-7944, ext. 1221

Examples of Single-Life Gift Annuity Rates

• Lifetime Income — at attractive payout rates for one or two people.• Tax Savings — a large part of your amount is a deductible charitable gift.• Tax-Free Income — a large portion of your annual payment is a tax-free

return of your principal.• Capital Gains Savings — when you give appreciated securities for a gift

annuity, you minimize any taxes on your “paper profit.”• Special Blessing — in securing the future of God’s Bible School.

Age Rateof Donor of Return

60 5.2%62 5.3%64 5.4%66 5.5%

Age Rateof Donor of Return

68 5.7%70 5.8%72 6.0%74 6.3%

Age Rateof Donor of Return

76 6.5%78 6.8%80 7.2%82 7.5%

Age Rateof Donor of Return

84 7.9%86 8.3%88 8.9%90+ 9.5%

Eleanor presents check to Faith Avery

ELIJAH AND ENOCH

Dear Phil,I recently read that Elijah and

Enoch were both taken into thethird heaven and remain alivetoday, possibly to return to earthas God’s “two witnesses” andfinally be slain and resurrected.How can they be at the throne ofGod in flesh and blood when 1Corinthians 15:50 says, “fleshand blood cannot inherit thekingdom of God”? —Dan Russell

Dear Dan,I know of no reason to believe

that Elijah and Enoch continue toexist in heaven without a glorifiedbody. 1 Corinthians 15:50 is anexcellent text to rebut the idea thatthese two patriarchs are still livingin perishable bodies. As the follow-ing context indicates, it is not nec-essary to die in order to have a glo-rified body. In 1 Cor. 15:52 thephrase “and we will be changed”refers to believers who are alive onthe earth when the trumpet sounds.As Paul notes in 1 Thessalonians4:17, “We who are alive andremain will be caught up togetherwith them in the clouds, and soshall we ever be with the Lord.”Saints who are alive when Jesusreturns to this earth will receive glo-rified bodies as they are caught upto meet the Lord in the air.

Since Paul says we will receiveimperishable bodies, the two wit-

nesses who are slain in the book ofRevelation must not be personswho have received glorified bodies.

Blessings,Philip Brown

HEAVINESS OF HEART

Dear Phil,I have been plagued for several

years with a heaviness on my heartthat robs my peace and joy. It willleave for a time, and I have won-derful peace. Then it returns. Itweighs me down until I cannotenjoy my relationship with God orother Christians. I have been savedand sanctified for 43 years. Canyou help me? Please send ananswer. —Joey Bennett

Dear Joey,I experienced a similar heavi-

ness when I was in China with myparents, who were serving the Lordas educational missionaries. Asense of oppression would descendupon me for no apparent reason.However, we had been forewarnedregarding this phenomenon. In thetraining we received before goingto China, our instructors told us toexpect the devil to seek to discour-age us in this way.

Since there was no physicalbasis for the sense of oppression,we understood it to be spiritualwarfare. So we addressed it with

the weapons of spiritual warfare:praise, prayer, Christian fellowship,and Bible reading. God delights tomanifest His presence when Hispeople praise Him (Psa. 22:3; Psa.42, 43).

Jesus has told us that He isalways with us (Heb. 13:5). Paultells us that a key component ofour resisting the devil is knowingthe truth (Eph. 6:14). We keep ourloins girt about with truth bybelieving the truth, asserting thetruth, and rejoicing in the truth,regardless of how we feel.

The truth is that God is sover-eign (Psa. 97:1; 99:1; Dan. 4:35;Eph. 1:11). That means that noth-ing comes into my life without Hispermission. The truth is that Godis wise (Dan. 2:20; Jer. 10:7; Pro.2:6; Rom. 16:27). That means Henever makes a mistake in what Hepermits in my life. The truth isthat God is good (Psa. 34:8;145:9; Jer. 33:1; Nah. 1:7). Thatmeans that God has my best inter-est at heart in everything Heallows into my life (Rom. 8:28-29). The truth is that God is faith-ful (Deut. 7:9; 1 Cor. 10:13; 1Peter 4:19). That means He willalways keep his promises. He haspromised that, regardless of how Ifeel, he is the same yesterday,today, and forever (Heb. 13:8).

By the time I finished praising,praying, fellowshipping, andfocusing my mind upon who Godis, the sense of oppression lifted.When it returned, I took it as anopportunity from the Lord to refo-cus my mind and heart about Hismagnificence. I encourage you todo the same.

Blessings,Philip Brown

Dr. A. Philip Brown II is a member of thefaculty in the Division of MinisterialEducation at God’s Bible School and College.

GOD’S REVIVALIST and BIBLE ADVOCATE

14

NOVEMBER 2010

15

AMERICAN CHURCHATTENDANCE

According to Audrey Barrick,writing in The Christian Post, a Galluppoll indicates that church “atten-dance increased slightly in 2010.”The latest poll found that 43.1 per-cent of Americans reported weekly oralmost weekly church attendance, upfrom 42.1 percent in 2008.” The pollalso indicated that “the most dedi-cated churchgoers… are conserva-tives, non-hispanic blacks, and Re-publicans. Those least likely to attendchurch at least once a week or al-most every week are liberals, Asians,and those aged 18–29 years.” Itnoted that “Americans who are 65years and older are more likely to at-tend than those who are younger.”

IS JORDAN RIVER POLLUTED?

A news item in ChristianityToday, informs us that Israeli “gov-ernment officials and environmen-talists have clashed over one of theholiest spots in the Holy Land.”Though environmentalists have in-sisted that part of the Jordan Rivertraditionally connected to the bap-tism of Jesus is contaminated, theMinistry of Tourism has responded,insisting that “the water was fine.”Controversy continues even thougha test “put the pollution content wellwithin safe levels.”

AMERICANS IGNORANT OFRELIGION

“A new survey of Americans’knowledge of religion found thatatheists, agnostics, Jews and Mor-mons outperformed Protestants andRoman Catholics in answering ques-tions about major religions, whilemany respondents could not cor-rectly give the most basic tenets oftheir own faiths.”

This report by Fox News adds thatthe survey, released by Pew Forum onReligion & Public Life, “aimed to testa broad range of religious knowledge,including understanding of the Bible,core teachings of different faiths anddifferent major figures in religious his-tory.” It noted that more “than half ofProtestants could not identify MartinLuther as the person who inspired theProtestant Reformation.” The surveyincluded 3,412 people. Those scoringhighest in this order were atheists, ag-nostics, Jews, Mormons, Protestants,and Catholics.

REFERENCES TO GOD INWASHINGTON, D.C., DISPLAYWILL REMAIN

“A federal district court dismisseda lawsuit challenging the engravingsof ‘In God We Trust’ and the Pledgeof Allegiance at the Capitol VisitorCenter in Washington,” writes re-porter Audrey Barrick in The Christian

Post. Judge William Conley ruled thatthe organization filing the lawsuitlacked standing because it could notpoint to “specific Congressional ap-propriation funding the engraving ofthe Motto and the Pledge.” TheAmerican Center for Law Justice, aconservative group, commented thatwhile “the First Amendment affordsatheists complete freedom to disbe-lieve, it does not compel the federaljudiciary to redact the religious refer-ences in every area of public life inorder to suit atheistic sensibilities.”

FAMOUS CRYSTAL CATHEDRALFILES FOR BANKRUPTCYPROTECTION

Rev. Robert H. Schuller’s famousCrystal Cathedral, Garden Grove,California, now apparently in seriousfinancial trouble, has filed for bank-ruptcy protection. Its current seniorpastor, the Rev. Sheila Schuller Cole-man, Robert Schuller’s eldest daugh-ter, blamed the church’s problemson the nation’s economy. But LaurieGoodstein, writing in The New YorkTimes online edition, comments thatthe church “was in trouble long be-fore the economic turndown, ac-cording to church insiders and fam-ily friends…[and] suffering from thebotched succession of Mr Schuller,one too many vanity building pro-jects, and changes in the religiousbroadcasting industry.”

In 2006, Robert H. Schullerturned over the Crystal Cathedralcomplex to his son, Robert A.Schuller. According to Goodstein, the“church was already carrying a hugedebt from its last lavish building pro-ject. But in a little more than twoyears, the son was pushed out beforehe ever really took the reigns, andsome of his sisters and their husbandsstepped in.” Conditions have wors-ened in the wake of the family dis-agreement. The reporter says that theCrystal Cathedral now has a $43 mil-lion debt that “even by megachurchstandards is serious.”

CHRISTIAN WORSHIP

Worshiping in Spirit and Truth

Worshiping in spirit is the opposite of worshiping in merely external ways.It is the opposite of empty formalism and traditionalism. Worshiping in

truth is the opposite of worship based on an inadequate view of God.Worship must have heart and head. Worship must engage emotions andthought. Truth without emotion produces dead orthodoxy and a church full (orhalf-full) of artificial admirers (like people who write generic anniversary cardsfor a living). On the other hand, emotion without truth produces empty fren-zy and cultivates shallow people who refuse the discipline of rigorous thought.But true worship comes from people who are deeply emotional and who lovedeep and sound doctrine. Strong affections for God rooted in truth are thebone and marrow of biblical worship.

—Desiring God, by John Piper ©1996, used by permission Questar Publishers, Inc.,Sisters, Oregon 99759

The Study of God Must End in Worship

True theology ought to end in prayer. If theology is the study of God, theknowledge of God, and if God is God, then the end of the study ought to

be worship. If it is not, if it has been only a study about a subject and ourthoughts on that subject, that is idolatry; I have made God a thing. It does notmatter how accurate my thought is; if it does not bring me to Him as a livingPerson, I have only found a substitute for Him, a knowledge of something otherthan God. When one comes to know the true God, the only response is, in thelanguage of the Old Testament, fearful worship. I do not mean fearful in thesense of craven terror, but rather a deep-seated awe that you have come intothe presence of the Holy One of Israel, the Creator and Lord of all. In every oneof those passages in the Scripture where we find a person meeting God, thatresponse of fearful worship is always there. Whether it is Isaiah or Moses, orwhether it is Paul on the road to Damascus or John on the island of Patmos,there it is. So in your study, whatever else you look for, look for God. You willknow you have found him if you find yourself on your face before him.

—Lectures in Old Testament Theology, by Dennis F. Kinlaw with John N. Oswalt©2010, used by permission, Francis Asbury Society, PO Box 7, Wilmore, Kentucky 40390

16

©2010 Jupiter Im

ages

�

HO

W T

O K

NO

W F

OR

SURE

YO

U A

RE

ENTI

RELY

SAN

CTI

FIED

(par

t 2)

by D

r. Al

lan

P. B

row

n, C

hair

GBS

Div

isio

n of

Min

iste

rial

Edu

catio

n

Ther

e ar

e at

leas

t th

ree

way

s Sc

riptu

re o

ffers

a C

hrist

ian

assu

r-an

ce o

f en

tire

sanc

tific

atio

n. T

he f

irst

and

prim

ary

way

is

thro

ugh

bibl

ical

faith

in G

od’s

Wor

d. S

ince

the

focu

s of

bib

lical

faith

is G

od’s

writ

ten

Wor

d, P

aul c

alls

it “t

he w

ord

of f

aith

” (R

om.

10:8

). W

hen

belie

ved,

God

’s W

ord

effe

ctua

lly w

orks

in th

e on

e ex

erci

sing

faith

(1Th

es. 2

:13)

. I d

evel

oped

this

conc

ept i

n m

y la

st s

erm

on (p

art 1

).In

thi

s m

essa

ge w

e fo

cus

on a

noth

er w

ay S

crip

ture

offe

rs a

Chr

istia

n as

sura

nce

of e

ntire

san

ctifi

catio

n, n

amel

y, th

roug

h th

e w

it-ne

ss o

f the

Hol

y Sp

irit.

It is

impo

rtant

to

obse

rve,

how

ever

, tha

t al

lof

the

Scrip

ture

s in

the

New

Tes

tam

ent w

hich

add

ress

the

subj

ect o

fth

e w

itnes

s of

the

Spiri

t are

spe

akin

g of

ass

uran

ce o

f the

new

birt

h.Th

ey d

o no

t ad

dres

s th

e to

pic

of a

ssur

ance

of e

ntire

san

ctifi

catio

n.H

owev

er, s

ince

one

is s

aved

by

faith

, and

sub

sequ

ent t

o be

ing

born

agai

n, o

ne is

also

ent

irely

san

ctifi

ed b

y fa

ith, o

ne c

an lo

gica

lly a

rgue

that

if G

od p

rovi

des

a w

itnes

s of

His

Spiri

t as

a m

eans

of a

ssur

ance

of b

eing

sav

ed,

He

will

also

pro

vide

a w

itnes

s of

His

Spiri

t to

the

real

ity o

f bei

ng e

ntire

ly s

anct

ified

. With

this

logi

cal p

rem

ise in

min

d,le

t us

exam

ine

wha

t the

Bib

le s

ays

abou

t the

witn

ess

of th

e Sp

irit t

obe

ing

a ch

ild o

f God

. Th

ere

are

thre

e ke

y pa

ssag

es t

hat

spea

k of

the

witn

ess

of t

heH

oly

Spiri

t to

one

’s s

alva

tion:

Rom

ans

8:16

, H

ebre

ws

10:1

5-16

,an

d 1

John

5:9

-13.

Eac

h of

thes

e pa

ssag

es a

re im

porta

nt fo

r de

vel-

opin

g a

bala

nced

und

erst

andi

ng o

f ho

w t

he H

oly

Spiri

t w

itnes

ses.

Let’s

beg

in w

ith R

oman

s 8:

15-1

6 an

d w

eave

the

othe

r tw

o pa

ssag

esin

to o

ur d

iscus

sion.

14

The

auth

or o

f the

Let

ter

to th

e H

ebre

ws

quot

es Je

rem

iah

31:3

3an

d th

en te

lls u

s th

at w

ritte

n Sc

riptu

re is

act

ually

the

Hol

y Sp

irit w

it-ne

ssin

g to

us.

Thi

s w

itnes

s is

med

iate

d to

us

thro

ugh

Scrip

ture

. The

auth

or fu

rther

tells

us

that

one

mus

t rec

eive

the

witn

ess

of th

e H

oly

Spiri

t to

us

thro

ugh

Scrip

ture

by

faith

in

orde

r fo

r th

e tru

th o

fSc

riptu

re to

effe

ctiv

ely

wor

k in

us

(Heb

. 4:2

). H

e sa

ys, “

For

unto

us

was

the

gos

pel

prea

ched

, as

wel

l as

unt

o th

em:

but

the

wor

dpr

each

ed [t

he H

oly

Spiri

t’s w

itnes

s to

them

thro

ugh

the

oral

pre

sen-

tatio

n of

Scr

iptu

ral t

ruth

] did

not

pro

fit th

em, n

ot b

eing

mix

ed w

ithfa

ith in

them

that

hea

rd it

.” T

his

mea

ns th

at a

lthou

gh th

e w

itnes

s of

the

Hol

y Sp

irit t

o th

e Is

rael

ites

in th

e de

sser

t cam

e th

roug

h pr

each

-in

g (th

e or

al W

ord

of G

od),

it w

as in

deed

God

’s W

ord,

and

thus

the

witn

ess

of t

he H

oly

Spiri

t to

the

peo

ple

of I

srae

l w

as m

edia

ted

thro

ugh

God

’s W

ord.

The

Scrip

ture

writ

ers

regu

larly

ide

ntify

Scr

iptu

re a

s th

e te

sti-

mon

y of

the

Hol

y Sp

irit.

For

exam

ple,

the

Heb

rew

writ

er q

uote

sPs

alm

95

and

attr

ibut

es it

to th

e H

oly

Spiri

t: “

Just

as

the

Hol

y Sp

irit

says

, “T

oday

if

you

hear

His

voi

ce,

Do

not

hard

en y

our

hear

ts a

sw

hen

they

pro

voke

d M

e, A

s in

the

day

of t

rial i

n th

e w

ilder

ness

,”(H

eb.

3:7-

8).

In A

cts,

Pet

er q

uote

s fr

om P

salm

2 a

nd a

ttrib

utes

itto

the

Hol

y Sp

irit s

peak

ing

thro

ugh

Dav

id: “

who

by

the

Hol

y Sp

irit,

thro

ugh

the

mou

th o

f our

fath

er D

avid

Thy

serv

ant,

dids

t say

, ‘W

hydi

d th

e G

entil

es r

age,

and

the

peo

ples

dev

ise

futil

e th

ings

?” (A

cts.

4:25

). O

ther

pas

sage

s th

at m

ake

this

ide

ntifi

catio

n in

clud

e M

att.

22:4

3; R

ev. 2

:7, 1

1, 1

7, 2

9; 3

:6, 1

3, 2

2; 1

4:13

. The

poi

nt is

tha

tto

hea

r G

od s

peak

in S

crip

ture

is to

hea

r th

e te

stim

ony

or w

itnes

sof

the

Spiri

t.

[In part 3, we will discuss the immediate witness of

the Spirit]

—se

rmon

by

DR.

ALL

AN P

. BRO

WN

“COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE

IN P

REACHIN

G” 

�

23

two w

itnesses to verify truth when he said, “…

truly, in the mouth of

two or three w

itnesses a matter is established” (M

atthew 18:16).

Therefore, in establishing the certainty of one’s relationship with

God, Paul tells us that w

e have the two w

itnesses necessary for assur-ance: the w

itness of the Holy Spirit and the w

itness of our spirit.These tw

o witnesses testify to the sam

e fact—that w

e are the chil-dren of G

od—thereby producing assurance.

C. The Activity of Each Agent of W

itnessing: the Holy Spirit

and the Hum

an Spirit.

1. The witness of our hum

an spirit.

How

does the human spirit bear w

itness to the certainty of ourrelationship w

ith God? Scripture tells us that the hum

an spirit bearsw

itness through the testimony of a continually clear conscience,

enlightened by the Holy Spirit, that w

e are fully obeying God (1 Tim

.1:19-20; Acts 24:16; 2 C

orinthians 1:12; 1 John 1:7). In otherw

ords, with the help of the H

oly Spirit we can sense w

ithin ourselvesthe truth about our ow

n spiritual condition. 1 John 2:3 tells us that“w

e do know that w

e know him

, if we keep his com

mandm

ents.”To “know

that we know

him” brings inw

ard assurance. But in addi-tion to the testim

ony of our own hum

an spirit, we m

ust have theadditional w

itness of the Holy Spirit.

2. The witness of the H

oly Spirit.

The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit w

itnesses to our rela-tionship w

ith God in tw

o distinct ways. H

e witnesses “m

ediately”through H

oly Scripture, and “imm

ediately” by an inward percep-

tion. Let’s first look at the passages that teach the Holy Spirit w

it-nesses

to our

sonship m

ediately by

means

of the

written

Scriptures, and then we w

ill discuss the imm

ediate witness of the

Spirit through feelings.

a. The mediate w

itness of the Holy Spirit.

Hebrew

s 10:15-16 says, “The Holy Spirit also w

itnesses (mar-

turei) to us about this. First he [the Holy Spirit] says: ‘This is the

covenant I will m

ake with them

after that time, says the Lord. I w

illput m

y laws in their hearts, and I w

ill write them

on their minds.’”

I. THE W

ITNESS O

F THE SPIRIT TO

OU

R SALVATION

Romans 8:15-16 says, “For you have not received the spirit of

bondage again to fear; but you have received the Spirit of adoption,w

hereby we cry, A

bba, Father. The Spirit himself bears w

itness with

our spirit, that we are the children of G

od.”A

s we exam

ine this passage, we m

ake three observations. First,there are tw

o agents of witnessing: the H

oly Spirit and the human

spirit. Second, the testimony of the tw

o agents of witnessing m

ustagree that w

e are the children of God. Third, the activity of each

agent of witnessing is different, but both are necessary for assurance.

A. There are Tw

o Agents of Witnessing: the H

oly Spirit andthe H

uman Spirit: “…

the Spirit himself bears w

itness with our

spirit that we are the children of G

od.”

Alm

ost every English translation of Romans 8:16 agrees that

there are two agents of w

itnessing. Except for the New

EnglishTranslation (N

ET), the majority of the translations understand the

Greek to be teaching that the H

oly Spirit bears witness, and our

human spirit also bears w

itness that we are the children of G

od. Thetw

o agents of witnessing bear w

itness together. The reason for thisunderstanding is that the verb translated ‘w

itness’ is summarturei,

which is a com

pound verb composed of (m

artureo) “to witness” and

the preposition (sun) “with.” Literally translated, the passage says the

Holy Spirit w

itnesses with

my spirit, not to

my spirit (see KJV, N

ASB,N

IV, NLT, N

RS). In other words, there are tw

o distinctly differentagents of w

itnessing involved.

B. The Agreement of the Tw

o Agents who W

itness: “the Holy

Spirit” and “our spirit.”

Why does Paul tell us that tw

o distinctly different agents bearw

itness together of the reality of our being the children of God? The

most likely reason is the requirem

ent of Scripture itself. God says in

Deuteronom

y 19:15, “in the mouth of tw

o or three witnesses a m

at-ter shall be established.” Jesus reiterated the im

portance of at least

compiled by Rev. Jack Hooker, President, National Alumni Association of God’s Bible School and College

DON (ThB ’77) AND RUTH (YOUNT) (BA ’75) NICHOLSHONORED BY MEMBERS OF THEIR “FIRST CHURCH”by Stephanie (Nichols) Burley (BA ’98), Lima, Ohio

“We have received a blessing that was beyond anythingwe have witnessed in a long time. My father, Don Nichols,pastored Main Street Mission when he was a student atGod’s Bible School during the time frame 1973–1977. Heand my mom, Ruth Yount, really gave it their best! Therewas one family from the inner-city, the Maddox family, whoalways stood out to them. There were five sisters and abrother. My parents were close to these kids during theiryears at the mission. My mom, even when nine monthspregnant with me, would drive the mission van through theprojects to pick up kids for the weeklyGood News Club, and the Maddoxkids were part of that group.

“Sunday, September 12, all sixMaddox children, now in their late30’s and 40’s, showed up at ourchurch in Lima, Ohio. One of the girlshad called me a few weeks ago to letme know they were planning this sur-prise to honor my parents for theirwork at the mission and to presentthem with a plaque of appreciation.

“Each of them spoke of theimpact my parents had in their indi-vidual lives and claimed my parentsas spiritual father and mother. Theyproudly called themselves my dad’s“First Church” and humorously toldour church people never to forgetthat. My dad was able to dedicate

the first baby of the Maddox’s son yesterday, and we allhad a nice meal together in our fellowship building. Ourentire congregation was so blessed. It was just a wonder-ful occasion. Each of those children have grown to besuccessful adults who are doing their best to serve God.They all still live in Cincinnati, and they beat the odds bymaking it out of the projects.

“I don’t know how often in ministry something likethis happens. Usually, especially when working withstreet children, not many return to say thanks.”

Editor’s Note: To all the GBS Alumni who worked faithfully inan inner city mission, this should be a great encouragement.Only heaven will reveal the results from the gospel seed yousowed. —Jack Hooker.

FRANCES CARPENTER (CWC ’48) writes: “I attended GBSin September 1945 taking the Ten Weeks Course and thenthe Christian Workers’ Course, graduating in 1948. I fullyagree with Opal Adams Forrester who gave comment about

GBS teachers Miss Nettie Peabody and Rev.E.G. Marsh. I would like to add anotherteacher to that list, Sarah Ratcliff. She madethe New Testament come alive to her stu-dents. I have additional memories of theprayer room with closets in the girls’ dorm. In

the prayer room I was blessed as I settled many problemswith God in that private, sacred place. Maxine Lewis (whoalso attended GBS) and I pastored several Nazarene church-es and then worked at Southern Nazarene University inBethany, Oklahoma. Maxine passed away in 2009. Both ofus served in our local church for many years. I am 86 yearsold and live with my sister in Huntington Beach, California.God has helped me through the years and still does.Blessings to all the students and workers on the Hilltop.”

The Maddox siblings (Thomas, Regina, Brenda, Tonya, Mary, Adrianne) with Don and Ruth Nichols

NOVEMBER 2010

19

20GOD’S REVIVALIST and BIBLE ADVOCATE

AMERICA’S FIRST NATIONAL THANKSGIVING DAYWashington, D.C., October 3, 1863

by the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

The year that is drawing towards its close has been filled with the blessings offruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed thatwe are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added whichare of so extraordinary a nature that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even theheart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.

In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimesseemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preservedwith all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, andharmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict, while that theatrehas been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.

Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry tothe national defense have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe hasenlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of theprecious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population hassteadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siegeand the battlefield; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strengthand vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these greatthings. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us inanger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit andproper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with oneheart and one voice by the whole American people.

I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and alsothose who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart andobserve the last Thursday of November next as a day of Thanksgiving andPraise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And Irecommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due toHim for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, withhumble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience,commend to His tender care all those who have become widows,orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife inwhich we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore theinterposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of thenation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with theDivine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony,tranquility and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand andcaused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this third day ofOctober, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundredand sixty-three, and of the Independence of the United Statesthe eighty-eighth.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

William H. Seward,Secretary of State

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NOVEMBER 2010

EDITORIAL continued

�(p2) in glowing colors, framed in heavy walnut, andsuspended from a tasseled cord on the parlor wall. Likethat print, it is unashamedly sentimental, a slice of red-white-and-blue Americana still beloved in this bewilder-ing time when traditional symbols are either ruthlesslyattacked or shamefully ignored.

Granted, it no longer mirrors contemporary life; butin historical perspective it remains fitting and even iconic,since Thanksgiving Day, as we know it now, had its originin the 19-century when it was celebrated in the contextof horse-drawn sleighs, buffalo robes, and roaring cook-stoves. Americans had observed various days of thanks-giving and supplication since the days of those friendlyIndians and smiling Pilgrims. But on October 3, 1863,President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation, writtenon his behalf by Secretary of State William Seward, thatestablished Thanksgiving Day as a national holiday to bekept on a fixed date by Americans everywhere.

It’s now six generations later, and between feasting,naps, and football, it’s easy to forget that Thanksgiving Dayisn’t just a day of family fun or relaxing respite preparing usfor the national frenzy to “shop until we drop.” That’s whywe should consider Lincoln’s proclamation, for its correc-tive is highly valuable as we prepare the turkey and thepumpkin pie—and, yes, the cornbread dressing.

For in line after line, this historic document explainswhy and how we should observe this familiar holiday.That’s why we turn to it now, nearly 150 years after it was“Done at the City of Washington, this Third day ofOctober, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hun-dred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of theUnited States the eighty-eighth.” Here in the words of hisproclamation are President Lincoln’s priorities forThanksgiving Day—priorities that were valid for ourgreat-great grandparents but remain as valid for us today.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT: “The year that is drawingtowards its close has been filled with the blessings of fruit-ful fields and healthful skies…. They are the gracious giftsof the Most High God, who, while dealing with us inanger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.”

We are called first to sober recollection, ponderingall the gifts we have so unworthily received, and then tohumble acknowledgment, bowing before “the MostHigh God,” who has lavished these gifts upon us. Foreven the thoughts that devise our best-laid plans, as wellas the energy that carries those plans into action, isbestowed upon us by our loving Father who has createdus spirit, soul, and body, and who continually nourishesus by His “blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies.”

Yet a stubborn sense of sinful pride and rebelliousautonomy keeps many from confessing their utterdependence on Him, who in His wrath “hath neverthe-

less remembered mercy.” Some do this in contemptu-ous silence and others in foolish assertion of unbelief.But as Christians, we acknowledge and adore Him whois “the Giver of every good and perfect gift.”

ENUMERATION: “In the midst of a civil war of unequaledmagnitude and severity…order has been maintained…andharmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre ofmilitary conflict…. Needful diversions…have not arrestedthe plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged theborder of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron andcoal as of the precious metals….”

When President Lincoln issued his proclamation,our nation was midway through the agony of our CivilWar. In 1863, boys in blue and boys in gray were fierce-ly leveling muskets against each other in such places asChancellorsville, Vicksburg, Gettysburg, Chickamauga,Chattanooga, and Knoxville. Both the Union and theConfederacy reeled from the bloody horror.

Yet the President paused carefully to enumerate theblessings that God had continued to give—the rule oflaw; the fruits of agriculture, industry, and commerce;the supply of natural resources. Once more we are sum-moned to do the same. There is no way, of course, everto fully “count our blessings,” but still it is of invaluablebenefit “to name them one by one.” So in the words ofthe Book of Common Prayer, we “bless [Him] for ourcreation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life;but above all, for [His] inestimable love in the redemp-tion of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the meansof grace and the hope of glory.”

GRATITUDE: “I do therefore invite my fellow citi-zens…to set apart and observe the last Thursday ofNovember next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise toour beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.”

Not only are we called to remember our Father’sblessings but also to verbalize our gratitude to Him. ForHe delights in the praises of His children, pouring outthe added blessings of His favor to those who offerthem. “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and his

President Lincoln’spriorities for ThanksgivingDay are as valid for ustoday as they were for ourgreat-great grandparents.

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GOD’S REVIVALIST and BIBLE ADVOCATE

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courts with praise; be thankful unto Him and bless Hisname” (Ps.100:4).

So we too will set apart the last “Thursday ofNovember…as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to ourbeneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.” Praisesspontaneously flow from our grateful hearts, but some-times we find it helpful to frame them in phrases fromone of our magnificent Thanksgiving hymns. “We thankthee, then, O Father, For all things bright and good,” wegladly murmur. “The seed-time and the harvest, / Ourlife and health, our food; / No gifts have we to offer / Forall thy love imparts, / But that which thou desirest, / Ourhumble, thankful hearts.”

PRAYER: “And I recommend to them that they do also,with humble penitence for our national perverseness anddisobedience…commend to His tender care all those

who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or suf-ferers in the lamentable civil strife…and fervently implorethe interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal thewounds of the nation and restore it…to the full enjoy-ment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and Union.”

As solemn address to Almighty God, prayer is thechannel for all the communications we direct to Him.How can we ever speak to heaven except through prayer?

This is why we eagerly reach to God through prayerin glad response to His extended mercies.“What shall Irender unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me? Iwill take the cup of salvation and call upon the name ofthe Lord” (Ps. 116:12-13).

President Lincoln has summoned us to adorationand thanksgiving. Now he focuses on two other aspectsof prayer—confession and supplication. Let his call to“humble penitence for our national perverseness and

Bundled into thehorse-drawn sleigh,we shiver excitedlybeneath the buffalorobes pulled uparound our chins.

NOVEMBER 2010

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by Sonja Vernon

ABUNDANCE

“In Him we have redemption through His blood,the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to theriches of His grace which He lavished on us.”

—Ephesians 1:7-8a NASB

Afew days prior to this writing a strange thinghappened on our campus. A large quantity of

chocolate milk was donated to the school—choco-late milk that had to be consumed within a veryfew days of its receipt. The word went out, andwithin minutes people responded and passed thenews along. Campus was covered with students tot-ing gallons of chocolate milk for themselves, forfriends, for any excuse they could muster; and all ofthem were smiling. It was as if Christmas had comeearly in the form of creamy, chocolate goodness.There was abundance, and there was joy.

However, let us suppose that this supply ofchocolate milk became a constant. Very soon theexcitement would wane. Chocolate milk wouldbecome an expectation. It would be seen as a right;and if it were taken away, vociferous complaintswould ensue.

Have we forgotten that we do not deserve thegrace that is “lavished on us” every day? Living ina land drenched with blessings and saturated withgood things, have we come to expect the same?Are we grateful for our abundance, or do weprotest what we’ve lost? Do we recall that ourredemption and forgiveness came at an incrediblyhigh price and still it is given freely? Our Godgives lavishly “according to the riches of Hisgrace.” What a reason for joy!

Sonja Vernon is Dean of Women at God’s Bible School and College.

disobedience” pierce deeply into our hearts. ForThanksgiving offers us opportunity again to seek God’sforgiveness for our nation’s many sins, begging Him toavert His hand of judgment. Then we should add ourearnest petitions, praying for America’s “peace, harmo-ny, tranquility, and Union,” pleading His blessings forour families and our future.

Well, Granny’s got the turkey roasted, and she isabout to put her cornbread dressing into the oven ofthat roaring cookstove. Bundled into the horse-drawnsleigh, we shiver excitedly beneath the buffalo robespulled up around our chins, for “how the wind doesblow! / It stings the toes / And bites the nose, / As overthe ground we go.” Merrily we shout at Old Nellie, our“dapple gray,” as she strains into her harness. “Hear thebells ring, / Ting-a-ling-ling!” we shout. “Ting-a-ling-ling! Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day!”

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